Suzy, could you consider bringing in your mina? maybe cut off some of the weight and bring in the rest. .....just a thought
Spectacular 2007 Cottage Garden Seed Swap #4
It's awfully big -- maybe 8-10 feet tall and 5-6 feet in diameter? Don't forget that it's an annual, not a perennial tropical. The reason I don't think it would work is how fast the foliage wilts when you pick it. It is nearly immediate, and I think that is a sign of a plant that doesn't want to be moved.
I also don't want the bugs in my house. I know it's part of the Morning Glory family, but it has Sweet Potato beetles and who knows what else on it. Oh, and spiders. I have a lot of spiders in my garden.
Suzy
well, we had a real for sure frost last night.
Yowza, that's a pretty shot, Grampapa. I didn't get a frost, but weather.com has two different reports for my zipcode - one with and one without frost tonight. Bizah.
"I didn't get a frost"
Braggart.
;-)
That may well have changed by tomorrow!
I'm glad for any extra time for my plants to ripen their seeds. Several are actively blooming! The cool weather seems to have revived them rather than signaling them to wrap it up!
Maggie
I brought some 'Minette' basil plants inside (they're small), but the others are finished. :-( I even tried spraying the frost off them this morning and yesterday, but the cold finished them off. So, not quite so many seeds of some (like the Sicilian) as I'd hoped, but I've still got lots of basil seed drying to share this winter! I'm also spraying down the seed pods of my Brazilian morning glory, so far so good, but I'm not sure how much more ripening they need to do.
We skipped right by the 'light' frost. this one took until the sun was really high the next day to melt. of course, the weather is beautiful and warm again now.
Suzy, I've been cutting morning glory stems with green pods for a couple of weeks now and putting them into jars of water with a smidgeon of hydrogen peroxide (H202) under lights. To control slime mold, the water is supposed to be changed daily, but with the H202, twice a week has worked for me in the past.
There's still a couple more vines to do today - a few leaves of this and that are limp with frost bite, but most flowers are still blooming - impatiens, dahlias, roses, aconite. The crocus speciosus keeps going after a few frosts into November, and the camellia 'Snow Flurry' blooms into December for us.
Anyhoo, I think many flowers can be brought in and put into water to ripen their seeds; although, let me say that with the morning glories, I take all the leaves off. The photosynthesis from just the stems has been enough to ripen the pods. In the past, both flowers & leaves of other plants have created quite buggy situations, but I'm going to try to ripen some seed from some fancy chrysanthemums this fall.
I guess I just earned 20 lashes with a wet noodle for not sharing this earlier, huh? I've been wishing I had someone to fret with over impending black frost, and here it was all the time under my procrastinating nose!
Got a couple more packs to do, then off to ye Poste Office -
karen
That's interesting, especially about the H2O2. I've tried Zinnias and as you guessed, the water got all green and cloudy. (I made the mistake of putting it in a sunny window thinking I was being nice. LOL)
I learned in a Botany class that seeds will ripen on their own, even if cut from the plant, as long as the petals are completely off the pod and as long as they are given the right conditions . He didn't go into what those conditions were, but I imagined they would be a cool dark place, cool dry place, warm dry place, or as you said, a glass of fresh water.
The trouble is, I learned it when I was 20, and didn't ask any questions about it. I don't know if the professor meant every single plant in my garden, or just a rule of thumb of the universe, or what. :)
Suzy
Yup, there's a lot to learn about ripening seeds. Taking the question of whether to ripen a seed in the dark or in the light to just one plant - morning glory (Ipomoea nil) - I think both ways work depending on how well developed the pod is already.
ByndeweedBeth says that she puts pods not completely ripe in paper bags where they continue to ripen, and that that has worked pretty well for her - and it must be rather dark and cave-like for those pods.
But my intuitive guess is that pods less developed than Beth's would do better ripening on stems in light, because the photosynthesizing green stems would contribute more to the pods' development. That has worked very well for me in the past.
So we've covered 2 conditions above: a dark sack and a lighted glass of water with a tad of H202.
I've noticed something similar in the germination process for seeds of other plants, and I'll bet y'all have too - germination conditions can vary for seeds from the same kind of plant depending on how long since they were harvested or whether they were stored dry or moist or warm or cold, etc.
It always amazes me how much activity still goes on in a seed after it's harvested - its enzymes are busybusybusy moving the seed through developmental paces. In cold, enzymes keep going, just more slowly. And the seeds keep reacting to their immediate environment - stored dry, winter aconite seed dies, but storing them moist is more helpful to their ultimate germination (see http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/760/ ).
For a comprehensive rendition of what goes on in a seedcoat, make yourself comfy with a cup of tea and settle down for a while with Ron's posts about the same. Some of us got the sillies on that thread, but we can't let ideas get too dry, either, now can we?
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=3305246 - check out the 3 links in the middle of his post
Welp, next time you hear from me, I'll be back from the post office -
karen
Karen, thanks for that info! I've been rinsing the frost from my Brazilian morning glory seed pods the last few mornings, and several are starting to darken (as if getting ripe, not from frost damage... sepals (?) are pulling away from the pod a little), so maybe I can finish ripening them inside. I did get a couple of seeds for next year, but I so wanted to have a few to share with you!
Suzy, I got my seeds all packaged and labeled, but I still need to go through and sort out the requests. If I counted right, there should be over 100 (maybe 110?) seed packs, plus another 10 bonus (2006) packs. I don't think I included more than 5 of anything except the basil and the 'Sweet Pickles' peppers, so there's a nice variety. I think I managed to cover most of the requests, so if there's not enough of something to go around, either it wasn't a posted request or there simply wasn't enough of that seed to go around.
I'm fighting a migraine today, so getting to the post office is a little iffy... but I'll do my best. If it doesn't go out until tomorrow, you know more seed packs are going to jump in somehow. :-)
Can I Dmail you my "want" list in a day or two? If I try to jot it down now, it's not going to be at all concise or orderly, LOL... Meanwhile, if it would be helpful, I can Dmail you the list of what's in the package.
Oh, I just *hate* those migraines, Critter!
But I *like* 100 packs of seed!!!! LOL!
Tell you what -- take your time on getting to the PO -- today, tomorrow, Friday is ok, but a list of both what you would like (most important) and what you are sending, will be helpful -- tonight or even tomorrow is okay on both.
Suzy
Blue, You must really love those Morning Glories! I thought you said you don't have much sun? Does that mean they grow and bloom in part shade? Or am I confusing you with someone else entirely?
I do not grow one single Morning Glory because I am afraid they will self sow and take over the world. I have bindweed here -- barely under control, and I am terrified I will have one of those on my hands.
Tell me I'm wrong, because I love Morning Glories! :)))
Suzy
Suzy, I'll get right on that list and Dmail it to you pronto. I can't drive right now (and I'm pretty sure I can't do dishes right now either, LOL, never mind that they've piled up out there), but I can play with seeds and type! :-)
If you see anything on the list that you think we could use more packets of, let me know... some of those seeds I have in abundance!
I'm glad I'm not the only one.. Suzi, thank you! I can ship my seeds tomorrow, but I'm on meds for bronchitis right now..and today is a national holiday in my home. I've still been working on it and am pretty near close to wrapping it up.. pic is from last night. I have around 75 packs so far and after reading critters post.. I'm going to go get some more seeds. I think I have white zinnia ready.. I will send list of what I'm sending by tomorrow.
Seandor, I have plenty of the yellow four o clocks and am sending them.. but I need to check the plant for more pinks.. The few I got don't look very impressive right now.
Susan
Happy Halloween !!
:)
Susan
Susan, what a great pumpkin! I hope you're recovering quickly and that those antibiotics aren't taking a toll on you.
With 75 packets, I'd say you're already sending in "a gracious plenty" (as my southern MIL would say). But I admit that I'd really love some white zinnias, if those seeds are ready! LOL, have to be careful though, or we'll still be adding seeds to these packets in December. :-)
Thanks critter.. I saw the "hair" at a grocery store and knew it would be perfect! I'm so glad the kids are in school.. makes resting during the day easier, but my "to do" list grows and is waiting for me..
I have the white zinnias Critter, and got some pink 4 o clock replacements for seandor! :) Wrapping and shipping tomorrow.. any seeds after that will be personal trades!
SGL, You make me feel lazy -- I just stick a 20 year old ceramic pumpkin out and call it a day. :(
Cattjovi, I am getting worried. Didn't you say your seeds were sent a week ago?
PamSue, Your seeds came -- You sent quite a Cottage Selection! Thanks from all of us.
Sorry for posting on the thread, to Cat & Pam, I am still planting outside and just ran in for a second.
Suzy
I just realized I hadn't put any Love in a Puff http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/648/ or Bloody Dock http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1999/ seeds in my packet... I'm fixing that now!
critter, is BLOOD invasive? I luv it .... this sounds creepy for halloween....I like red veins [pretend to hear a witches heckle in the background]
ohhhhhhhhhh Suzy.. you have no idea how much we've put into the entire display!! Lots of cars stop.. but the kids go to neighborhoods where the houses are close in together and not on 1 acre lots! LOL! Makes sense to me! I could make an entire thread of decoration pics! They kids are off with their dad and I will pack the zinnia and have it off tomorrow. :)
Susan
The Bloody Dock went to seed for the first time this year (it's a biennial, I think, and I've only had it since last year), so I don't know how strongly it "volunteers." I do get a few volunteers each year from the Cardiospermum (love in a puff) vine, but while it might be near-invasive in warmer climes it doesn't seem to get out of control here. And the delicate foliage is a great addition to a trellis!
My rumex has never gone to seed??
I already have it obviously... but I'm thinking I'm a crazy still trying to arrange potential swaps after the 11th hour! LOL!
Do you want more of it? I haven't grown out the seeds before, so no guarantees, but I made up generous packets so even if germination is low you should get something. I think I have a couple other requests from you, so it'd be easy enough to pop a packet into the baggie with your name on it.
OK, here's what I will have in the mail tomorrow. I just finished packaging all this and putting pretty wrappers on them, so don't give me a hard time about being late, please:
Aquilegia from McKana, Tall Pink
Aquilegia from McKana, Yellow (5)
Meadowrue, Chinese (5)
Campanula kemulariae (5)
Campanula 'Elizabeth' (5)
Campanula (Adenophora) lilifolia (5)
Papaver paeoniflorum, Pink/White (5)
Papaver somniferum, Deep Purple (5)
Papaver somniferum 'Queen's Poppy' (5)
Geranium pratense, blue (5)
Lychnis flos cuculi 'Nana' (5)
Iris setosa (5)
Meconopsis betonicifolia (10) (keep these in the freezer til you plant them)
LOL on the pretty wrappers. Oh, those poppies sound fanshmabulous. And the Geranium, too! Okay, it all does. Who am I kidding?
This is supposed to to be mailed to Illoquin, right?
Right, To me, address in the exchange.
Thanks WZ!!!
Suzy
Hi Y'all - the deed is done - my seeds left to Suzy today via first class, confirmation #0307 1790 0001 3117 1771 .
I wish I'd read Critter's & Soul's accounts of their swashbuckling numbers of seed packets earlier, or I'd have done better - I love plants that bloom right up to frost, and those and many others are still not ripe enough for this swap.
I'll post my have, allocated & extra lists along with the wants on the Haves & Wants thread - have listed wants in case there might be something left by now - I know I'm late. With regard to the allocated lists, if the ones whose names I wrote on the packets already got those seeds, then feel free to share with someone else. I bundled the packets into four baggies labeled according to which group they were.
Will be back ih a bit -
karen
Right! I've got them packaged in a bubblewrap envy, addressed to you, and ready to go tomorrow. My DH will mail them. I'm going to Anchorage tomorrow. I didn't include the seeds a couple people asked for, so I'll send them directly to them... less confusing for you!
Love that expression 'swashbuckling number of seed packets'!
Karen, I think Suzy has just started sorting out the haves and wants... I don't think she's going to give us the dregs because we're trailing in at the end! I know just what you mean about trying to collect seeds just before frost. I still don't have any zinnia seeds harvested!
WZ, as always, your seed list made my wish list just balloon! :-)
Gosh, I hadn't even considered getting any seeds. I was just glad to get rid of some! I wish I had a better list, but it was not a good seed year. Many of the pods were green when the first hard freeze hit. Of course, it has warmed up again, but it's unlikely I'll find more seed pods.
WZ, yours looks like a pretty good list to me :)
Nope, no dregs for the late arrival, Blue -- the people whose seeds trickle in at the end will get the same percentage of things they wanted as the people who beat the clock in the beginning.... gotta do it that way, or it's not fair. I haven't started filling at all, except for seeds with people's names on them, so that the early people will get a chance at some of the good stuff the later arrivals send and visa versa. (Although it will be very last minute here, and a huge mess, it is actually pain free because my darling daughter has gone to college and left me with several flat surfaces and a cheap boom box to do my boogie sorting!)
AND, no matter how big a mess it is, it would never compare to how messy she kept her room the 18 years she lived in it. LOL!
WZ, You might not get a 1-for-1because of your climate, but I have some things set aside for you.
Suzy
I wrote a tome, but forgot to copy before hitting "send" - will try again later.
Suzy - eek - I didn't mean to imply there would be any such thing as dregs here - I wish I had adequate words to say how much I appreciate what you're doing here - how did that blessing go??? -
Good talk,
Good seeds,
Let's swap!
You've drawn a wonderful bunch together with whom it's so much fun to hang out
Ipomoea nil can be a shy flower-er further north, or at higher latitudes, not to mention in partial, filtered shade. However, I gotta have Blowsy in my garden - too much tidiness makes me itch! Here's a pic of what I mean - it's one of EmmaGrace's rose silks from Ipomoea nil that she tentatively called "may be Tie Dye" which it turned out not to be, but it set just the right mood for me -
